Psychology and transcendence: Role of "the soul" and related aspects in human development

A salient feature of modern life is that despite all the achievements and discoveries which have inevitably lead to a more comfortable life, mankind has not been able to fulfill its full potential as far as developing higher human abilities, spiritual transcendence and growth is concerned. It is argued that one reason for this may be modern psychology’s attitude towards human nature which has essentially been set within a materialistic and reductionist frame work. Hence, certain potentially significant aspects of human existence such as the concept of “soul” may have been ignored. In this article, while reiterating the importance and necessity of the transcendental dimension of human existence (which is referred to as “soul”) and its relationship with the “psyche” and the “spirit”, we shall present definitions regarding the soul and discuss issued concerning its development, pathology, health and defense structures.